Written by

ByPolly McDaniel | pmcdaniel@citizen-times.com

Sure, Biltmore Estate’s gardens are best-known for the springtime riot of tulips known as the Festival of Flowers. But a well-planted garden — and this one is — has year-round interest. Fall is nearly as spectacular as spring. Some ideas:

Check out the mums in the Walled Garden. Peak bloom should be mid-October. The blooms will be red, yellow, gold, bronze and salmon this year, according to Susanne Woodell, historic gardens manager.

Vote for your favorite rose. The rose garden in the Walled Garden is an official rose trials garden. A plaque offers instructions on how visitors can text a vote for their favorite rose. A guests’ choice award will be announced at the end of the trials.

Stroll through the Italian Garden. This trio of formal water features adds elegance to the outdoors. As you stroll, notice koi and goldfish in the ponds and lotus flowers in bloom.

Ask any gardener you see working any questions you may have. Sure, they have work to do, but they’re happy to answer questions.

Hike from Biltmore House to the Bass Pond and back. It’s mostly downhill on the way there, mostly gentle uphill on the way back. You’ll get the full spectrum of Biltmore’s gardens along the way, from its formal Walled Garden to the Azalea Garden, with its many majestic trees and several brooks that run through it. On the other side are more natural areas, where you can observe native fall plants, such as asters.

Don’t miss the Conservatory. This lush space was originally filled with giant palm trees, but that’s only part of the collection now. The Conservatory features several garden rooms, including one for orchids. Get ideas for unusual garden containers in the alcove on the right, where suitcases are used as planters.

Pack a picnic, then kick back in the walled garden to enjoy the mums.

Shop for plants, containers and garden gear at A Gardener’s Place, just below the Conservatory. Most of the plants sold there are featured in Biltmore’s gardens.

Dig vertical planting? Check out four vertical panels planted in the Conservatory courtyard. The patterns are themed after the Tiffany at Biltmore exhibit going on at Antler Hill Village through Oct. 23.